Additional Titles

 

HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF AMERICA
PART II

PREVENTION, PROFILING AND POTENTIAL TERRORISTS LIKE US

 

 

By Andy and Berit Kjos
March 19, 2003
NewsWithViews.com

Do you wonder who might be targeted by this vast, interconnected system? The three categories of suspects are:

1. Foreign terrorists abroad

2. Foreign and domestic terrorists in the US

3. Potential domestic terrorists

Much of the Homeland Security focus is on the last category. In its chapter on "Domestic Counterterrorism," a White House document titled "The National Strategy for Homeland Security" states:

"The attacks of September 11... have redefined the mission of federal, state and local law enforcement authorities.... Law enforcement agencies... should now assign priority to preventing and interdicting terrorist activity within the United States ." [1]

Notice the word "preventing." It is important, because it shifts the public emphasis from catching criminals to exposing potential terrorists. It also shifts our government's administration of justice from the judicial and legislative branches to the executive branch.

Many have tried to define a "terrorist". Some definitions are so open-ended that almost any conservative or home-schooling parent could be suspect. The Homeland Security Act is more precise. Section 2 defines "terrorism" as any activity that--

(A) involves an act that --

(i) is dangerous to human life or potentially destructive of critical infrastructure or key resources

(ii) is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States ...and

(B) appears to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;

(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or

(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction....

Reading this definition, you and I have every reason to feel safe. Right? But with today's emphasis on prevention, our leaders have prepared lists of potential terrorists. What might they be looking for? Or rather, who might -- in their eyes -- be want to use violence to "intimidate or coerce a civilian population" or "influence the policy of a government"?

In Muslim lands, an author who wrote a contrary book would be guilty.  But what about in America ?

Would lobbyists be suspect? Christian organizations? Radio hosts? Parents who home school their children?

The FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) gives us some clues. The White House's National Strategy explains the part played by the JTTFs in Homeland Security:

"We will build and continually update a fully integrated, fully accessible terrorist watch list. When we have identified any suspected terrorist activities, we will then use all the tools in our Nation's legal arsenal... to stop those who wish to do us harm.

"...the FBI is expanding the Joint Terrorism Task Forces, now operating in 47 field offices, to all 56 FBI field offices by August 2002." [2]

One of those 56 FBI field offices -- located in Phoenix , Arizona -- printed a three-fold flier several years ago. The back panel introduces the JTTFs mission:  "...the purpose of this information sheet is to assist uniformed patrol officers in identifying potential domestic terrorism. Domestic terrorism is defined as: Groups or individuals operating entirely inside the US , attempting to influence the US government or population to effect political or social change by engaging in criminal activity." [3]

The front panel states, "If you encounter any of the following, call the Joint Terrorism Task Force." Its list of suspects justifiably included "Hate Groups" such as "Skinheads, Nazis, Neo-Nazis (usually recognized by tattoos), KKK, White Nationalists...."  But it also listed some surprising suspects:  

Right-Wing Extremists

-'defenders' of US Constitution against federal government and the UN (Super Patriots)

- groups of individuals engaged in para-military training

Common Law Movement Proponents

- No drivers license

- Refuse to identity themselves

- Requests authority for stop

- Make numerous references to US Constitution

- Claim driving is a right, not a privilege

- Attempt to "police the police"

Single Issue Terrorists

- Lone individuals

Do you still feel safe? I smile as I ask that question, for I may well be listed in their vast, integrated system of databanks tracking American suspects. Some years ago, a federal investigator in New Mexico heard a local radio program discussing the United Nations and its agenda. He went to the station, interrogated the staff and included questions about previous guests. One of the two names he mentioned was mine. Apparently, we were suspect because we valued the US Constitution and exposed the power, purpose and influence of the United Nations. [4]

If you wonder why "lone individuals" would be listed, read The UN Plan for Your Mental Health. Al Gore summarized the "danger" in a 1992 address to a Communitarian meeting in Washington , DC . He said, "Seeing ourselves as separate is the central problem in our political thinking."[5]

To make sure no one is "separate" or "lone," the community programs you saw earlier have been designed to involve every person in group dialogue. As stated in the "National Strategy”:

"All of us have a key role to play in America 's war on terrorism. ... In order to defeat an enemy who uses our very way of life as a weapon--who takes advantage of our freedoms and liberties--every American must be willing to do his or her part to protect our homeland."[6]

The vast network of homeland surveillance

According to the Department of Homeland Security, its Secretary Tom Ridge will, by fall 2003, have 170,000 employees in his department: "The DHS will serve as a central hub of intelligence analysis and dissemination, working with agencies throughout the federal government such as the FBI, CIA, NSA, DEA, the DOD and other key intelligence sources."

Although his wife, Michele Ridge , is not an official "partner," she will serve his purpose as "the hired national spokeswoman" for Communities That Care (CTC). According to an article titled, "Mrs. Ridge promotes survey on sex, drugs," the CTC "developed the youth survey used in more than 400 communities nationwide to collect personal information from students to help local governments justify federal and foundation grant applications." [7]Majoring in "the field of prevention science," the CTC is a "complete prevention planning system for a healthy community" provides "hands-on training" in leadership, community planning, "strengths assessment," implementation and evaluation -- all the TQM skills and technology needed to transform a community and measure compliance.  [8]

In contrast to the silent, behind-the-scenes work of the CTC, the following agencies and offices were officially transferred to DHS: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Secret Service, Coast Guard, Customs Service, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Protective Service (FPS), Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) and Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).

Specific functions were transferred from the FBI, the INS, Departments of Justice, Defense, Health and Human Services, Commerce, Energy and Agriculture. 

No one mentioned the "Secretive U.S. Court" established in 1978 by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act [FISA]. An article in the San Francisco Chronicle described its power:

"Cloaked in secrecy and unknown to most Americans, a seven-judge court has been busy in a sealed room at the U.S. Justice Department approving 'black bag' searches, wiretaps and the bugging of homes in the interests of national security.
The court, which has been operating for more than 20 years, has approved more than 10,000 government applications for clandestine searches and surveillance of foreigners, immigrants and U.S. citizens -- and only one request has ever been denied.

"In its anti-terrorism proposals, the Bush administration is asking Congress for a broad expansion of the enormous powers already granted to the executive branch under the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act [FISA]....  "Civil liberty advocates say they fear the government will take advantage of the administration's proposed change and use the pretext of intelligence gathering under FISA to go after other criminal activity, making an end run around the stricter Fourth Amendment protections in criminal law....  They argue that the total secrecy of the process has eliminated any public accountability to ensure that the process is not being misused." [9]

With the additional power and authority granted our President by the USA Patriot Act and the Homeland security Act, the FISA Court fades in significance and shock value. With today's technology, there are few limits to the ways that our government can manipulate, monitor and spy on American citizens without our knowledge. And as our government's right to personal information expands, the taxpayers' right to be informed shrinks. So it's not surprising that the Justice Department would draft a sequel to the Patriot Act with "sweeping new power." Were they trying to guard this secret bill until a greater crisis would set the stage for its acceptance? [10]

While America 's founders built a government that would be accountable to the people, this monstrous new system turns the old Constitutional safeguards upside down. Today the people are accountable to unthinkable policies, rules, regulations and politically correct values, while much of our government hides its words and intentions behind a veil of secrecy.

Again, Al Gore sheds light on this revolution. Of course, his system of government control would be marketed to the masses under the banner of the "environmental crisis" rather than today's current crisis:

"Adopting a central organizing principle – one agreed to voluntarily – means embarking on an all-out effort to use every policy and program, every law and institution, every treaty and alliance, every tactic and strategy, every plan and course of action – to use, in short, every means to halt the destruction of the environment . . . .

"Minor shifts in policy, moderate improvement in laws and regulations, rhetoric offered in lieu of genuine change—these are all forms of appeasement, designed to satisfy the public’s desire to believe that sacrifice, struggle and a wrenching transformation of society will not be necessary."[11] Emphasis added

A Biblical perspective

In the midst of these changes, our God still reigns!  Nothing escapes His watchful eyes. Nothing happens that doesn't in some way serve His plan. Nothing touches His people but through His love and for our ultimate good.

He tells us that our battle is not "against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12-13

 Evil is not simply militant terrorists who would destroy America or the Communist leaders in North Korea who defy UN agreements and mock our military forces. Evil is far more subtle. It is in us and all around us. It holds us captive and it blinds us to the truth. That's why Jesus gave His life to set us free.

Two of the most dangerous evils we face are (1) the popular illusions that replace reality in our minds and (2) the psycho-social strategies that immunize our minds to God's unchanging truths. Both are vital to the three-pronged "quality management" system that has risen like a monster out of the sea and is spreading its tentacles into every part of this planet.   

To stand firm against these and other forces that deceive and destroy, please see Brainwashing & How to Resist It. Know the tactics and how to resist. Then pray that God guide our leaders, guard our freedom, equip our children and protect our homes. Remember, when we trust and follow God, He makes us "more than conquerors" through Christ. Romans 8:37

Endnotes:  

1. Domestic Counterterrrosism at  http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/book/sect3-2.pdf, page 25.

2. Ibid., page 26.

3. I have a copy of the "Joint Terrorism Task Forces" flier.

4. See A Terrorist? Me?

5. Corinne McLaughlin and Gordon Davidson, Spiritual Politics (New York: Ballantine Books, 1994),147.

6. "Organizing for a Secure Homeland at http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/book/sect2-2.pdf 

7. "Mrs. Ridge promotes survey on sex, drugs" and "Communities That Care" at http://www.communitiesthatcare.org.uk/

8. http://www.preventionscience.com/ctc/CTC.html

9. William Carlsen, "Secretive U.S. court may add to power Bush wants to use terrorism panel in criminal probes,"  San Francisco Chronicle, October 6, 2001 .

10. http://www.publicintegrity.org/dtaweb/report.asp?ReportID=
506&L1=10&L2=10&L3=0&L4=0&L5=0

11. Al Gore, Earth in the Balance; Ecology and the Human Spirit (Houghton Mifflin, 1992), page 274.

© 2003 Berit Kjos - All Rights Reserved

Berit Kjos is a widely respected researcher, writer and conference speaker. A frequent guest on national radio and television programs, Kjos has been interviewed on Point of View (Marlin Maddoux), The 700 Club, Bible Answer Man, Beverly LaHaye Live, Crosstalk and Family Radio Network. She has also been a guest on "Talk Back Live" (CNN) and other secular radio and TV networks.  Her last two books are A Twist of Faith and Brave New Schools. Kjos Ministries Web Site: http://www.crossroad.to/index.html 

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